Tucker 5-Ton Combat Car
Anyone know if any of the ones built, survived the war?
Preston Tucker apparently designed them and the powered turret which had a 360 degree rotation in under 5 seconds and 75 degree elevation. Apparently a Packard 12-cyl powered vehicle capable of 100 mph on the highway and in excess of 60 mph off road. Fully armoured mine resistant belly with 12 inch clearance, yet the vehicle maintained a very low centre of gravity.
Other oddball features were the headlights could be individually directed if needed, from within the vehicle and with a reported 1 mile range could serve as searchlights if required. It was rear wheel or all wheel drive capable and all four wheels could be individually braked if necessary.
Apparently Preston tried selling them to the Dutch at the start of the war and when Holland collapsed, tried the US Army, but they said the vehicle was too fast.
David
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